Girl's Night Out Mark II

DHalpin's note: The fanfic story Wolverine's World is my favorite ongoing story by Alcimines. He has an interesting take with Jubilee as she's… well… you'll have to read the story if you want to know. But… I so loved what he wrote, we conversed (via text) as to how it may have occurred and he gave me permission to write my own take as how it may have happened.

Confused? Not if you read Wolverine's World.

Part 16a: THREE DAYS LATER

Bruce's review of what had become in his mind the Girlz Night Out Report had already generated a stress headache for him, no doubt due to the lack of proper sleep as Bruce did legitimately need at least two nights out of seven. But the abrupt appearance of a Watchtower systems Instant Message window increased it yet another notch.

WW - Bruce, on behalf of the Amazon Nation, I apologize for the unintended consequences of the actions of the group sent to recover some purchased items. They had the secondary assignment of locating the source of said items. In the course of so doing, they did not consider the physiological limits of normal humans, or they would never have acted as they did. I have seen to it that they will never again act as they have done. I sincerely hope Orphan recovers quickly and completely.

On a related note, when next you see Magik, would you please pass along my desire for a personal conversation with her, in a place of her choosing? She is owed an apology as well for what happened.

Bruce considered Diana's message. Apparently she might not yet know the true source of the sudden infusion of Frosties, the undergarments made of the unstable molecules material that was apparently available in Magik's home universe. A slight wince of pain crossed his face; this message implied that something had happened to Magik, something not yet in the log, and something that would actually have Diana offering such an open-ended invitation.

Batman brooded upon the matter. The apologies made no sense; the log should have lead with such information… and yet Diana for some reason thought that the not-yet-named-in-the-log-Amazons were somehow responsible for Orphan's mission bender… which was unlikely as there was strong evidence that the entire group was massively tweaked by this point. Hmmm… what if the Amazons had been similarly intoxicated? It was plausible; mass inebriation could easily explained why whatever happened to Magik had not yet been mentioned in the log because (A) either none of the Bad Girlz (or Orphan, or Catwoman) remembered it, or (B) whatever happened had been glossed over because Magik was not offended. But whatever had happened still had Diana (and likely her mother) concerned. He came back to the opened ended invitation, and winced anew. Illyana could use such wording to actually force a visit to Themyscira. But then Bruce recollected a bit of dinner conversation about hunting, when Illyana had dined at Wayne Manor. He and his had learned that Illyana enjoyed hunting with traditional weapons such as spears. That… might be a good social opening was his thought.

Bruce started to type out a message suggesting such a hunting party before stopping halfway through as the potential play-outs occurred to him. Then, after some thought, he slowly started hitting the back space button as he imaged Illyana, who had demonstrated her penchant for violence, out hunting with violence prone Amazons, and of course everybody would be armed with primitive weapons, where there would inevitably be one or more Amazons with vehement objections to one like Illyana as Themysciran society was not known for welcoming… well… demons to be blunt. It would just go bad, or very bad, and then… having gone bad, it would proceed to worse and from there straight to Oh Dear God. Instead of his original fatigue induced idea (as he would ever after refer to it as) he typed a quick response, kicking the can down the road to a hopefully much better thinking day...

BM - Will do. Let's talk tomorrow when we're both refreshed.

Bruce again considered calling for an analgesic, perhaps in conjunction with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, but in only an hour and a bit he could seek his bed, and then the medications would be superfluous. He returned to the report, which…. sigh… seemed to have somehow gained additional material since last he looked. That wasn't really possible, was it?

Part 16b: Queenie

Somehow Meatloaf ended up being attached to the Bad Girlz upon leaving the theater. There had been a burst of selfies between the Bad Girlz and Meatloaf, and some of the film fans. During which time Jubilee rejoined the group, looking very… relaxed. Yes… relaxed, why… one might go so far as to say… blissed out.

Shortly, the group was walking down Broadway in the direction of Time Square as Meatloaf was explaining how his career had begun (he had applied for a job with the Rocky Horror Picture Show play in L.A.).

"I was in line for what I thought was for bouncers as they were all biker looking dudes. They said I looked right, but then they asked me to sing, which was really weird. I mean… singing bouncers? Anyway, I sang, and they liked what they heard, and the rest is history…"

Meanwhile the topic of Jubilee being a Robin had resurfaced between Jubilee and Illyana.

Jubilee gave Illyana a glare showing a touch of fang. "I so would make a good Robin."

A statement that Illyana dismissed with both a dismissive wave of her hand, and a Not Again sort of shake of her head. "And again, there is no way that the Bat would ever let you be a Robin."

"And why is that?" Illyana was back to her black costume with the black whatever they were thingies sticking out of her hair, Jubilee noted in passing. She ignored it; it was just Illyana being Illyana.

"Mostly one word." Illyana responded.

"Too adorable?" Jubilee matched her tone and brevity.

"That's two words." Illyana said, bemused amusement lightly lacing her tone.

"It's a raciest thing right? Because I'm a vampire." Jubilee refused to let it go.

"No… Although I still say he'd likely stake you for that. This place is not vampire friendly, for rather understandable reasons."

"Then what?" Jubilee's eyes were starting to glow.

"Chatter."

Another fang showing glare from Jubilee, which again Illyana just ignored. Usually when a vampire glares at you, you're supposed to pay attention. But demon lords, or Demon Queen in this case, are just not impressed by a fledgling vampire's glare.

So… Jubilee tried reasoning. "I don't talk that much."

Illyana just gave Jubilee an ironic look.

"I don't!"

Just more of that look.

"Don't you believe me?"

A look just said… no.

"Not fair! I would be so good in a fight!"

Illyana did give her that. "Fight yes. Stakeouts... no."

Jubilee looked a bit dejected, although she did wonder at Illyana's use of the word stakeout but decided not to make an issue of it even though most vampires considered the word a trigger phase. "Phoo! Just because I'm a vampire."

Again that look from Illyana that said… No, because you're Jubilee.

Jubilee knew when to let something go, even if she didn't do so very often. "I suppose I could be a detective, after Shogo gets older. Not many legal job opportunities for a vampire once folks know about that. Geeze, so many folks think that I have no self control. I mean… I have tons of self control."

Illyana had to give her that, even if at the same time she was not very sympathetic to her latest infatuation. "Try being a Demon Lord. Given a choice between a demon and a vampire, one guess as to who would be preferred."

"Vampire?"

"Bingo in one."

Jubilee wasn't letting this one go easily either. "Do you know how many people have tried to stake me?"

Illyana was game. "Less then those who have tried to kill me."

Jubilee pointed out that… "At least you get to have real food and drink."

Illyana did have to agree that, in culinary matters, she did have it better. "Valid."

Jubilee refocused on her current fascination. "Shoot, would have liked being a Robin."

"You're young… you're far from learning to what it means to be Immortal."

Jubilee was slightly jolted. "Meaning?"

"Everybody you know is going to die. But you – you will remain as you are, likely physically young, likely looking as you look now."

Something about the way Magik was speaking grabbed Jubilee's attention like little could. "Likely?"

Magik shrugged. "Some things can happen to a vampire that they cannot easily heal from."

Pure rebellious Jubilee shone thru. "Like you know anything about outliving people."

And was doused cold by just a look from Magik. Jubilee suddenly wondered just how old she really was. "I'll check back with you on that in fifty years or so."

"Uh…?" Jubilee suddenly felt cold, and unsure.

"Who knows… all fledglings grow up. Fate alone knows what you might become. Or aspire to be."

Jubilee was uncertain how the conversation was swerving. "Such as?"

A shrug from Illyana. "Who knows. Why… it is conceivable that you could be… Queen of Vampires." She was going to say quiet, but that was just too far fetched so she'd went with something just a little less improbable.

Yeah… right was Jubilee's thought. "To do that… I'd have to take down the King."

"Yep."

"That's not possible."

"And why would you think that?"

"He's.. .Dracula. I'm…"

"You."

"Yeah… That's my point."

"No… you are You. As once he was he."

"Like I could beat Dracula."

Now it was Illyana's turn to give Jubilee a glare. "Such a position is always taken, never given. Even to those who inherit such positions find that if they are weak then it slips between their fingers as it is taken from them."

"You're crazy if you think I could one day challenge Dracula."

"As I once thought."

"Huuu?"

"I was thirteen when I took Limbo from Belasco."

"But… You're… you."

"Exactly."

"I'm…"

"You are also You."

Jubilee went quiet for a bit as she listened to the others (they were teaching Meatloaf the drinking song). Yes there is always a first for everything.

"DRINK DRINK DRINK DRINK DRINK…"

Finally Jubilee said. "Really?"

Magik's voice carried certainty as old as time. "If you grow in your abilities, and survive the years ahead, then yes. Even one such as you."

A sigh from Jubilee. "Then I'll be old and boring."

Another look from Illyana that communicated old yes. Boring? Nahhh.

That certainty was growing on Jubilee. But realities had to be observed. "I couldn't possible do it on my own."

A smile from Illyana. "All regimes have those who wish for their fall."

"Hmmm…" Jubilee and not thought of that.

"And of course… external entities might… assist in regime change as well. Assuming one was… capable."

Jubilee liked that feeling of certainty, and decided to play along, as she got an odd idea, meaning Jubilee suddenly verbally swerved left. "So... how would one go about summoning the Queen of Vampires?"

"Most rituals involve sacrifice from those partitioning for aid."

"Naked." Was Jubilee's reply as she suddenly giggled.

A slow blink of an answer, and Illyana was back. "Huuuu?"

"Naked. They'd have to do it naked if they're summoning me."

"Okay…" Was Illyana's careful reply. "Arcane symbols are usually used to…"

"Triangles." Was Jubilee's interruption. "I hate that whole pentagram right side up wrong side up thing. No offense meant."

"Okay… triangles then. The symbols are usually meant to represent something."

"Fangs!"

"Fangs?"

Jubilee was on a roll. "Yeah. Narrow triangles, to represent my fangs, if I'm the Queen. And... they have to draw them on the floor… and on their bodies."

"Okay…" Illyana looked a bit uncertain.

Jubilee shimmied as the ideas came. "With their own blood!"

Illyana nodded as she walked in time with Jubilee. "That's at least in theme… but why their own blood?"

"I'm a vampire, after all. And it shows commitment, not just murder. That makes it potentially worth my while."

"And naked?"

Jubilee grinned wickedly. "I like looking at naked people. And naked people are usually unarmed. That whole stake thing."

"Okay. What else…?"

Jubilee didn't hesitate. "Candles. I love candles when I take a bath, so candles as well."

Illyana's voice had a dry tone, almost like she might have been making a joke. "I hope we're not talking pumpkin spice or some other scents."

Jubilee shook her head. "Naaaa, just a bit of light, and shadows, because that will make looking at the naked people easier. And makes it eerie." It's a bit of a stereotype, but most vampires love the look of vampire films.

Illyana hid her desire to giggle. "Of course, how silly of me. Any chanting by chance?"

"Naa… like I want to hear others trying to sing anything, or chattering at me. So… more vampire theme here… You did say sacrifice. So after they all cut themselves, they have to lick everyone else's blood who is there."

Illyana's comment could be taken for a compliment. "You are such a vampire." Or not, sometimes people hear what they want to hear.

"Thanks… Hey, I'm stuck with blood, might as well make people experience my reality."

"Blood tastes like donuts, pizza, and French fires, all mixed together with foreplay for one such you."

"Yeah… um… how do you know that?"

"Hell Lords know many things."

"Okay…" Jubilee as not quite buying that answer but… best to leave that dog sleeping for now. "So, if that is the ritual then how the heck will I know that somebody is trying to summon me?"

"It's a Queen thing… you'll just know."

"Righttttttt…"

Illyana produced two shot glasses from somewhere and poured shots from the chaos bottle. Then handed a shot to Jubilee. "Trust me… you'll know."

With a giggle from Jubilee and a clink of glasses, the shots were downed. "Fun to fantasize but no way that's happening anytime soon…"

Illyana smiled back. But… she had a musing expression like… she wasn't sure.

Authors note: If you want to know more about it then the story Wolverines World by Alcimines is for you (plug plug plug. Folks it's really good).

Part 16c: Time Square

The Bad Girlz, and Meatloaf entered from one direction, chattering and ogling the sights and noise that is Times Square. A naked (almost) cowboy was busy serenading passersby, while many were entranced by Mazikeen's cleavage, and battle-axe which were on prominent slow motion display on the giant displays that dominate the skyline.

The Amazons entered from the other side of Times Square, the device guiding them and as the two groups met as the lead Amazon demanded what they had come for.

"GIVE US YOUR FROSTIES!"

In hindsight, that could have been worded better.